curveball
noun
curve·ball
ˈkərv-ˌbȯl 
: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand
curveball
verb
Examples of curveball in a Sentence
The batter struck out on a curveball.
Recent Examples on the Web
Throwing more curveballs for strikes is a focal point too.
—
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
As Michiganders know, though, Mother Nature always throws us curveballs.
—Karen Carter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Mahmood, a close ally of Starmer, is seen as a possible curveball that could re-engage left-wing voters who feel dissatisfied with Labour while also offering concessions to right-wing voters concerned about the immigration crisis.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, a younger friend or a member of a group might throw you a curveball.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curveball
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Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
As Michiganders know, though, Mother Nature always throws us curveballs.
—Karen Carter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Mahmood, a close ally of Starmer, is seen as a possible curveball that could re-engage left-wing voters who feel dissatisfied with Labour while also offering concessions to right-wing voters concerned about the immigration crisis.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, a younger friend or a member of a group might throw you a curveball.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for curveball
Cite this Entry
“Curveball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curveball. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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